Annual Report 2013
1 Contents Our People 3
What we did in 2013 4
Chairman’s Introduction 5
Chief Executive’s Report 6
Graeme’s Story 8
Bellrock Close 10
Residents’ Activities 12
Events and Fundraising 14
SVHA Management Committee Report 16
Review of Operations 18
SVR Financial Information 20
SVHA Financial Information 21
Balance Sheets 22
Governance 23
2 Our People
The Executive Team
Ian Ballantyne Phil Cox George Corbett Maurice Rourke Chief Executive Chief Executive Depute Chief Executive / Human Resources / (ret’d December 2013) (App’d December 2013) Property Services Manager Administration Manager
Susie Hamilton Kath Davidson Eddy Gorman Yolanda Archibald Fundraising and Administration Assistant Manager, Bellrock Close Voids and Allocations Marketing Manager Officer
The Rosendael Team The Whitefoord House Team
Max McLennan Alison McQuillan Marjorie Kelly Ken Morrice Manager Depute Manager Manager Depute Manager
3 What we did in 2013 182 11 Veterans in total Veterans helped January–December 2013 into employment 35 155 Veterans helped Veterans helped to move on to with benefits independent accommodation 29 102 Veterans helped with pensions Veterans helped to access health services 20 55 Veterans taking part in activities Veterans helped into eg fishing, archery, cycling, training/education tai chi, gardening, gym
4 Chairman’s Introduction
On behalf of the Trustees I am delighted to submit the 2013 Annual Report and Accounts for the Scottish Veterans Residences.
The report also includes an update base our future activities. Our fundraising on the activities of the Scottish efforts have also been highly successful Veterans Housing Association Limited, and of particular note was a significant particularly on the good work that grant from the LIBOR fund to support continues to be undertaken within our the Bellrock Close Project. Furthermore, residences in Edinburgh and Dundee. extensive work has been undertaken Of note is also the fast paced and to ensure that our rent charges are ongoing development of our new optimised in line with legislation to facility which is currently being built ensure best value for money and that at Bellrock Close, Glasgow. This is occupancy of our homes is maintained an exciting development which will at as high a level as possible. provide a transition facility for 30 veterans and is the first to be built in It has been a year of real progress for Scotland. Our stock of independent Scottish Veterans Residences and I am living flats and houses will also deeply grateful to the Trustees for their expand with the completion of some commitment and support to this most 21 units alongside the Bellrock Close worthwhile cause. I must also report transition centre. that our long serving Chief Executive Lieutenant Colonel Ian Ballantyne Although we are beginning to see retired after 16 years at the helm of the seeds of economic recovery it has this great Charity and he handed been a difficult environment in which over to Group Captain Phil Cox in to manage investments and to raise December. The Trustees wish Ian a income. Our portfolio however has long and happy retirement. performed well and has paid excellent dividends which will continue to provide Major-General Mark Strudwick CBE a solid bedrock upon which we can Chairman of the Trustees
5 Chief Executive’s Report
The year began on a very positive note with the commencement of ground works at the Bellrock Close site in Glasgow.
The start of work on the project is the Close. The members of the Cranhill culmination of many years of effort Association and the residents of Cranhill and when completed it will provide a have made very clear their support first class facility offering much needed for the work we are doing and this will support to our veterans. Furthermore greatly assist us as we bring the project the Bellrock Close manager’s post was on-line next year. A ‘Topping Out’ recruited and filled mid-year leading ceremony, attended by Keith Brown the to a real sense of progress and the Scottish Government Veterans Minister, new incumbent has begun to scope was held just before Christmas. The and develop the support plan that Minister nailed the last slate onto the will serve the veterans who enter the completed roof marking a key milestone transition service. There are some in the projects progress. delays within the building programme but I still anticipate taking over the Success has also been the benchmark building and facilities in summer 2014. of our ongoing work at Whitefoord House and Rosendael. Additions to The success of the Bellrock Close project the managerial teams within both will also rely heavily upon those who homes has greatly strengthened the will provide support and advice to oversight and delivery of support the veterans with the transition service. to our veterans along with planned An extensive series of stakeholder improvements to facilities and a engagement exercises and outreach development of the loft at Whitefoord to the local community has also House in order to provide 6 more en- been undertaken. I’m delighted with suite one bedroom accommodation. the commitment shown by so many organisations who have stepped in to Our fundraising efforts have also help support the delivery of Bellrock borne fruit with a voluntary income of
6 (final figure) which included significant 2013 has been a year of real grants from the Royal Navy and development and progress for Scottish Royal Marines Charity (£100,000), Veterans Residences; this could not The Robertson Trust (£250,000), have been achieved without the Scottish War Blinded (£413,000), The contribution of volunteers, staff, MOD LIBOR Fund (£233,488), Royal funders and supporters who have Air Force Benevolent Fund (£25,000) work collectively to improve the and Merchant Navy Welfare Board lives of some of our most vulnerable (£18,000). In April we were delighted ex-Service people. I am also to have Carol Smillie launch our immeasurably grateful for the support Bellrock Appeal at an excellent provided by the Trustees. reception on The Tall Ship in Glasgow and a short advertising campaign Phil Cox raised the profile of SVR, particularly Chief Executive in the Glasgow area.
7 Graeme’s Story
Graeme is 51 and resident of Whitefoord House. This is his story.
Graeme joined the Army Catering in 1999 with £12,000 in his pocket Corps in 1978 and in 1980 completed but spent it all in 6 weeks and found his Airborne Training enabling to serve himself homeless once more. He found with Airborne units. out about Whitefoord House and when he arrived was the youngest After several operational tours in person there at 38 years old. He Northern Ireland he left the Army in stayed for a year at Whitefoord House 1992 as he did not want to go back and left when he found a job in there and his wife was pregnant with security and a new partner. their first child. He went on to have a number of civilian jobs including head Having been diagnosed with mouth chef at an Agricultural College and cancer Graeme gave up drinking for 6 also joined the TA. years but when his relationship broke down he turned to alcohol once more. When his marriage broke down in 1997 he returned to Full Time Reserve Graeme once again became Service, partly as he was homeless, homeless, he was troubled with and returned to Northern Ireland for nightmares from his time in Northern 3 back to back tours. At the end of Ireland and suffered the repeated this period he returned to Edinburgh blows of losing both his parents in one year, his job and his house. He formulated a plan: to take out a £3,000 loan, spend it all on drink and then commit suicide. His only quandary was how he was going to take his life but Everyone from the before he had decided, he bumped cleaners to the manager into a member of staff from Whitefoord wants to help House. He was persuaded to go back to Whitefoord House, although at first
8 Stuart, a young veteran meets with his Support Officer
he felt it was a backward step having bottom once more when his daughter been there 15 years earlier. tragically died in a car accident, but with support from the staff and other But this time he says that Whitefoord residents at Whitefoord House he has House is completely different, with carried on. a huge amount of support on offer. ‘Everyone from the cleaners to the Graeme has only been at Whitefoord manager wants to help’ he says. He House a few months but already has a is particularly thankful for the help new job and is about to move into his from his Support Officer who ‘did own flat. He still has challenges to face everything they could possibly do’, but is emphatic about what SVR has including assistance with employment, meant to him: ‘If I hadn’t come here his health, accommodation and even there is absolutely no doubt, I would getting his car back. He reached rock be dead.’
9 Bellrock Close
Building at Bellrock Close started on 14 January 2013. Despite the terrible spring weather the project has progressed well and by December we were able to hold a ‘topping out’ ceremony to mark the completion of the external works.
In June the Manager of the new “As the Housing Support Manager for service, Eddy Gorman joined us Bellrock Close it is my responsibility and began his task of setting up to ensure that my staff and I live up the registered housing support to expectations by delivering a high service and holding events to quality service providing veterans engage stakeholders in the project. with ‘transitional’ housing support. Representatives from over 50 Every member of my team will be organisations including ex-Service motivated by the wonderful vision for charities, Local Authorities, Housing this service which has been matched Associations, Health Authorities, the with a considerable investment in Armed Forces, Police and Prison secure by design accommodation, Service helped to inform and guide and I am truly excited by the prospect this innovative project for veterans. of developing a full range of supports Eddy, an experienced social worker to assist veterans with health, with several veterans in his own family employment and housing.” is inspired by the challenge:
It is wonderful to see this important new centre for veterans becoming a reality. As patron of the appeal I have been delighted to see that generous individuals, ex-Service charities and trusts have all supported this amazing project. Thank you to everyone who has worked together to build homes and futures for our veterans
LORRAINE KELLY OBE, PATRON OF THE BELLROCK CLOSE APPEAL
10 WEEK 3: The site is levelled WEEK 13: Work starts on the mainstream flats
WEEK 22: Well underway WEEK 31: The roof goes on A YEAR IN PICTURES
WEEK 47: The topping out ceremony with Scottish Veterans Minister Keith Brown MSP 11 Residents’ Activities
Whitefoord residents Whitefoord residents join other clay pigeon shooting veterans for go-karting
Trip to Deep Sea World A successful fishing trip
12 Whitefoord residents join other Rosendael Cycling Club Rosendael mystery tour veterans for go-karting
Residents meet familiar faces at the Not Forgotten Association A successful fishing trip Christmas Lunch in London
13 Events and Fundraising
On the 24 of April we launched the public appeal for Bellrock Close. We were privileged to welcome the We are most grateful to the delightful Carol Smillie to our press photogenic members of HMS launch and evening reception on The DALRIADA, 32 Signal Regiment and Tall Ship, as well as representatives from 602 Squadron who supported our the Armed Forces, Local Authorities, event. supporters , stakeholders and friends.
14 New Video A huge thanks also to the team at Republic productions, Edinburgh for the fantastic WW1 Play promotional video that they We were delighted to be supported by Pepperdine produced for us. It can be University ‘s touring production of acclaimed play seen on Youtube or via ‘Why Do You Stand There in the Rain? ‘ by Peter Arnott. www.svronline.org. Alex Fthenakis of Pepperdine Scotland said: “We set out to share a forgotten story and spark Burns Night At Plane Castle cultural conversation about the kind of support we Minister for Transport and offer military veterans and our citizens in general. Veterans Keith Brown MSP However, that’s only the first step. Organisations was one of many guests who like SVR have boots on the ground helping enjoyed a Burns Night at the to affect real change in the lives of struggling stunning Plane Castle in Airth, veterans. As such, it was an honour to lend our an event which raised £1500 voices to this fundraising campaign, promoting not for SVR. The hugely successful just conversation but action from our audiences.” evening which included poetry reading and a wonderful Based on the Bonus Army March of 1932 on dinner in the C15th setting was Washington DC, play tells the story of desperate organised by staff and volunteers WW1 veterans from all over the U.S. who from Signpost Recovery. The lobbied Congress for the release of a promised main sponsor of the event, compensation package. Congress voted no and Printing Services Scotland Ltd Hoover called for the veterans to be driven out of did a wonderful job producing the capital. Armed with bullets and tear gas, 1,000 tickets and Programmes as well infantry and cavalrymen pushed the veterans out as donating the ingredients of the city, burning everything they owned. for the steak pies and haggis. Many thanks to Mrs Wright and We are extremely grateful to the hugely talented the late Reverend John Wright company who used the production as a platform of Plane Castle and Mrs Lillian to promote SVR and help us raise funds for Watson for organising the event. homeless UK military veterans.
15 SVHA Management Committee Report
THE SCOTTISH VETERANS HOUSING ASSOCIATION LIMITED REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT
The Committee of Management present their Annual Report and audited Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2013
Chairman’s Statement aside from delivering first class support The Association is solely and to vulnerable veterans have also been particularly concerned with the working hard to develop and deliver management and operation of the transition plans for those veterans who 2 Houses-in-Multiple Occupation, have the capabilities to re-enter civil Rosendael and Whitefoord House society. Understanding the needs of the and the provision of affordable individual has always been a priority for rented houses and flats in Broughty the Association and this, alongside our Ferry, Dundee and Edinburgh. The overwhelming aim to provide support Association is also responsible for vulnerable veterans, is our passion. for developing and subsequently I am delighted to report that the Care implementing a strategy to assist Inspectorate has awarded Whitefoord with the future housing needs of House an overall GOOD rating and the vulnerable ex-Service/merchant that Rosendael achieved an overall marine men and women. Additionally ADEQUATE with GOOD ratings for both the Association is currently making staffing and quality of management advanced plans to open and operate following their inspections this year. This a new Housing Support Service at is most pleasing given the difficulties that Bellrock Close, Glasgow; alongside a were faced by our service at Rosendael new development of affordable flats at in 2012. the same location. The development of our new service The need to constantly develop the at Bellrock Close is proceeding well services offered to our veterans has and the anticipated completion been the key theme of 2013. The date is set for August 2014. Most services at Whitefoord and Rosendael, importantly the manager for the site
16 was recruited early in the year and I been of the highest order and it has am delighted to welcome Mr Edward been his vision and dynamism that Gorman to the SVHA ‘Team’. He is has guided us on the path to deliver highly experienced in the delivery of far greater and enhanced services to support to vulnerable adults and he our veterans. Ian served over 30 years has become fully immersed in creating in the Royal Marines before joining the conditions for the successful SVHA and his selfless commitment to opening of this most wanted facility. the men and women of HM Armed The team has also been augmented Forces has been exceptional. I pass by the arrival of two new Depute on my best wishes, along with those of Managers, Alison McQuillan and Ken the Association, for a long and happy Morrice at Rosendael and Whitefoord retirement. I also welcome Group House respectively. Captain Phil Cox who replaced Ian at the beginning of December. Sadly, after some 16 years of service, I have to report that our Chief Executive, Major-General Mark Strudwick CBE Lieutenant Colonel Ian Ballantyne, Chairman of the Committee of chose to retire. Ian’s work at SVHA has Management
17 Review of Operations
During 2013 the Association had over 120 veterans using the facilities at Whitefoord House and Rosendael. Of these the greater number were accommodated at Whitefoord house and of the total number in residence some 30 have since moved on to new opportunities through employment and the provision of housing.
We have continued to maintain Rosendael are full with waiting lists Rosendael and Whitefoord House and the ever increasing demand to a good standard. In addition to has led to our decision to develop routine maintenance we spent in the attic space at Whitefoord House the region of £40K improving the during 2014 to add an additional 6 road surface and upgrading boilers en-suite bedrooms. at Whitefoord House. Likewise our stock of affordable housing has also The ongoing work at Bellrock Close undergone a series of upgrades and is proceeding well, however the improvements requiring some £20K of programme has slipped and we funding to complete the work. now anticipate occupying the site in August 2014. The delays are mainly Our aim is always to try and keep our due to an unmarked gas pipe on voids to a minimum and this year we the site and the complicated fabric have maintained a good rate of less required to complete the support than 6.5% of our affordable housing building’s internal structure. Whilst stock. Furthermore the occupancy the delay is unwelcome, planning in of Whitefoord House has remained 2013 has focussed upon mitigating high at 97% and the occupancy of the later than anticipated occupancy. Rosendael has improved significantly The recruitment of the Bellrock Close during the year and is holding at manager in mid-2013 has enabled the a healthy 91.2%. At the time of start of the detailed planning of how writing both Whitefoord House and the transition service will be delivered.
18 The team from MAST architects who raised £2625 fro Bellrock Close
The transition ‘pathway’ is not a vulnerable veterans, infrastructure new concept and examples exist, in improvements and the ongoing various different models across the UK. development of the Bellrock Close Detailed work has commenced and project as the Association’s key a great deal of engagement with a activities. There remain many number of agencies, associations and challenges but SVHA remains fully other government bodies is underway committed and capable of meeting to ensure that the project delivers from what lies ahead in the future. the outset. Group Captain (Retired) Philip Cox 2013 was a busy and demanding MA FCMI year for SVHA with support to
19 SVR Financial Information
Scottish Veterans Residences
SOURCES OF INCOME £,000
General Donations 71
Specific Donations (to help fund 960 redevelopment programme)
Investment income 127
TOTAL 1,158
RESOURCES EXPENDED £,000
Grant to Housing Association 944 (development programme)
Grant to Housing Association 2 (other purposes)
Grants toward hardship rents 27
Costs of generating funds/ 85 marketing/advertising
Administration 62
TOTAL 1,120
20 SVHA Financial Information
Scottish Veterans Housing Association
SOURCES OF INCOME £,000
Board and lodgings 2,377
Supporting People Income 111
Other income 8
Interest receivable 3
TOTAL 2,499
RESOURCES EXPENDED £,000
Homes - Remuneration 953
Homes - Services 545
Corporate Services 568
Reactive Maintenance 93
Cyclical Repairs & Maintenance 129
Depreciation 64
TOTAL 2,352
21 Balance Sheets
Scottish Veterans Residences Financial Information BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2012
2013 2012 £,000 £,000 Fixed Asset Investments 4,395 3,862 Current Assets 74 674 Current Liabilities (928) (728) Net Current (Liabilities)/Assets (854) (54) Total Assets less Current Liabilities 3,541 3,808 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year 0 (750) Net Assets 3,541 3,058
Total Reserves 3,541 3,058
Scottish Veterans Housing Association Financial Information BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2012
2013 2012 £,000 £,000 Housing properties 13,541 10,632 Less grants and depreciation (12,570) (9632) 971 1,000 Other fixed assets - NBV 68 81 Total Tangible Fixed Assets 1,039 1,081 Current Assets 4,393 4,398 Current Liabilities (2,283) (2,476) Net Current Assets 2,110 1,922 3,149 3,003
Accumulated Reserves 3,149 3,003
Total Capital and Reserves 3,149 3,003
22 Governance
Patron-In-Chief His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester KG, GCVO
Patrons Rear Admiral C J Hockley MSc CEng CMarEng CBE, Flag Officer Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland Major General N H Eeles CBE, General Officer Commanding 2 Division ADC Air Commodore G Mayhew RAF Air Officer Scotland
Scottish Veterans Residences Major General M J Strudwick CBE (Chairman) Lady Irwin Major A G M Jones MA(Hons) LLB W G R Thomson Esq. BA CA (Vice Chairman) Captain J Tweedie FSI BA(Hons)
Scottish Veterans Housing Association Committee of Management The Lady Bruntisfield JP Major S K Nicoll BSc (Hons) MA (Hons) RM Reverend NN Gardner MA BD Major K L Steel Lieutenant Commander K Conway RD RNR (nominated by The Flag Officer Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland) Major J Duggan (nominated by The General Officer Commanding 2 Division) Squadron Leader N Clarke RAF (nominated by The Air Officer Scotland) Ms E Pelham Burn Mrs P A Shields Dr. D Yool BMVS PhD DipIECVS MRCVS
23 Website: www.svronline.org Email: [email protected]
The Chief Executive Whitefoord House 53 Canongate, 53 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BS Edinburgh EH8 8BS Tel: 0131 556 0091 Tel: 0131 556 6827 Fax: 0131 557 8734 Fax: 0131 556 8457
Rosendael Bellrock Close 3 Victoria Road, Cranhill Broughty Ferry, Glasgow Dundee DD5 1BE G33 8RS Tel: 0138 247 7078 Tel: 0141 766 2461 Fax: 0138 273 1681 Fax: 0131 556 8457
Scottish Veterans Residences Registered Charity Number SC015260 Registered under the Companies Act 1985 Number SC365592 Scottish Veterans Housing Association Registered Charity Number SC012739
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